HTC moves into Myanmar market

HTC has begun sales of devices in Myanmar, a country described by Dow Jones Newswires as “one of Asia’s last investment frontiers”.

According to the report, Peter Chou, chief executive of HTC, said that the move “won’t help HTC’s overall shipments in the short term”, although the company will be well positioned if and when the country’s customers begin seeking out higher-spec products.

The Myanmar market is characterised by low-cost devices, Chou said.

HTC has apparently developed a new input system for Burmese language characters.

Reuters said that previously customers in Myanmar have needed to install fonts to support the language themselves, a process described as “cumbersome” and which could invalidate device warranties.

While the language is said to be no more complex than other Asian scripts, the lack of an international standard specifying how it should be implemented has made it difficult to integrate.

The Taiwanese smartphone maker has partnered with a local distributor and software developer to offer integrated Burmese support.

While there are currently two operators in the market, Myanmar Post & Telecommunications and Yantanarpon Teleport, Dow Jones said that the authorities are drafting a new law that will allow new entrants – including possible overseas investors.

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